U.S. Judge Holds Argentina in Contempt over Vulture Fund Payments
A U.S. judge has held Argentina in contempt of court over its refusal to pay U.S. hedge funds that are seeking to profit off the country’s debts. Argentina has moved to repay its debts domestically in order to avoid the judge’s ruling, which barred them from repaying any creditors without also paying the so-called vulture funds. Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman condemned the judge’s latest move.
Sevcon Motor Controllers for new AUCMA EV light electric truck
Chinese firm AUCMA Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd has selected Sevcon as the motor controller supplier for its new light truck, the A-2. Aimed at municipal fleets in both domestic and overseas markets, the new A-2 light duty truck is powered by a 72V 16 kW AC motor. Sevcon will supply its Gen4 digital motor controller with regenerative braking technology to the company based in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The electric drivetrain gives the A-2 a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) and a top speed of more than 50 km/h (31 mph). The A-2 can be fully recharged via a 220V 30A socket in 8 hours, with the onboard charger safely switching off when the battery is fully charged.
Thousands Rally in Tokyo to Oppose Nuclear Resumption
Thousands of people have rallied in Tokyo to protest the Japanese government’s plan to restart two nuclear power plants. The plants are among dozens slated for resumption after being shut down in the wake of the Fukushima disaster three years ago.
Officials Test Alfalfa Crop for GMO Contamination
In the latest potential sign of contamination from genetically modified crops, alfalfa plants in Washington state have tested positive for genetic modification, even though the farmer believed they were unmodified. Agriculture officials are testing the alfalfa after it was rejected for export by a broker. In May, genetically modified wheat created by Monsanto was discovered on an Oregon farm after the farmer attempted to kill the wheat with a Monsanto herbicide but found some of the plants had survived. Testing showed the wheat was from an herbicide-resistant strain that was field-tested before being withdrawn from the regulatory process after protests. The discovery prompted Japan and South Korea to temporarily halt purchases of some U.S. wheat.
Australian Town’s Air Pollution As Bad As Beijing’s Due To Coal Mine Fire
The fire at Victoria, Australia’s Hazelwood coal mine has burned for nearly a month now and blanketed the nearby town of South Morwell in hazardous smog, but the end seems to be near. A government advisory last week encouraged children, the elderly, and pregnant women to leave town until air quality improved, and they appear to have listened. Residents have abandoned more than half of the 750 homes in the worst-affected area of the Latrobe valley, as the air quality drops to the same level as smog-choked Beijing. Levels of PM 2.5 particles, the small variety that is most harmful to health, peaked at 565.3 micrograms per cubic meter of air on February 22 in Morwell South, about the same as Beijing’s peak. That’s well into the highest category of pollution, Hazardous, defined as any level over 300 micrograms.
Denver-Area High School Students Stage Walkout over History Course Censorship
Hundreds of Denver-area high school students have staged a walkout over an attempt to censor their history curriculum. A right-wing majority on the Jefferson County school board has pushed extensive changes to AP history courses to promote corporatism and deference to authority. Their proposed changes include the removal of all mentions of civil disobedience from textbooks and materials. The student walkout on Tuesday followed a similar action by teachers that shut down two high schools for a day last week.